Patriots Vs. Dolphins: Penultimate NFL Week 1 Injury Reports Revealed
By Abraham Gutierrez
Based on the mid-week NFL injury reports, when the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots take the field Sunday afternoon at Sun Life Stadium, there will be no shortage of aching bodies. A combined total of 18 players compose the penultimate Week 1 injury reports, but everyone will be on standby until Friday’s final practice announcement and subsequent Game Day status updates.
This is particularly bad news for the home team, as 13 of the 18 players on this week’s list can be found in Miami’s 53-man roster. Nevertheless, early indications are that only three of those players have been ruled out against the Pats, while the remaining players will have to wait for Joe Philbin’s Game Day verdict, which should be made public Friday evening.
In the meantime, it’s certainly worth noting that (defensive end) Terrence Fede (knee), (center) Mike Pouncey (hip) and (linebacker) Jordan Tripp (chest) did not participate in team practices either Wednesday or Thursday. And while their statuses for Sunday’s opener have yet to be revealed, missing two days of practice usually leads to a DNP on Game Day.
In addition, there were six Dolphins players whose injuries hindered them to partake only on a limited basis during this week’s practice sessions. Listed as Limited Participation in Practice were: safety Walt Aikens (hand), linebackers Chris McCain (hip), Koa Misi (shoulder) and Philip Wheeler (thumb), cornerback Jamar Taylor (hip) and guard Billy Turner (foot).
Finally, there are those players who, despite being hobbled by some sort of injury, were still able to participate in full team practices. Based on their position on the team’s depth chart, the chance that these players see significant playing time is usually very high.
For the Fins, the following names were able to partake in full practices, which is always great news when the defending AFC East champs come to town: tight end Charles Clay (knee), running back Knowshon Moreno (knee), defensive end Derrick Shelby (illness) and kicker Caleb Sturgis (groin).
In the case of New England, while Bill Belichick’s bunch only had five players listed in its mid-Week 1 report, there are some pretty big names penciled in. Everything starts and ends with three-time Super Bowl champion (quarterback) Tom Brady, who did not participate in practice due to an injured calf.
However, there’s no need to panic, Patriots fans, because various reports indicate that the nine-time Pro Bowler not only practiced on Friday, but he’s also assured everyone that he’d be “ready to go.”
Also on the Patriots’ injury report is one of Brady’s favorite targets, tight end Rob Gronkowski (Limited Participation in Practice), who’s recuperating from offseason knee surgery. “The Gronk” told reporters this week that he would be suiting up for Sunday’s game, but Belichick is notorious for his unwillingness name starters until the last minute.
Finally, there were three other players that were listed as having had Limited Participation in Practice this week, leaving them up in the air until the Pats coaching staff releases Friday’s injury report and Game Day statuses. Those players are: defensive end Michael Buchanan (ankle) along with a pair of defensive tackles, Christopher Jones (ankle) and Sealver Siliga (wrist).
Miami Dolphins Penultimate Week 1 Injury Report
Did Not Participate in Practice
- DE - Terrence Fede (knee)
- C - Mike Pouncey (hip)
- LB Jordan Tripp (chest)
Limited Participation in Practice
- S - Walt Aikens (hand)
- LB Chris McCain (hip)
- LB - Koa Misi (shoulder)
- LB - Philip Wheeler (thumb)
- CB - Jamar Taylor (hip)
- G - Billy Turner (foot)
Full Participation in Practice
- TE - Charles Clay (knee)
- RB - Knowshon Moreno (knee)
- DE - Derrick Shelby (illness)
- K - Caleb Sturgis (groin)
New England Patriots Penultimate Week 1 Injury Report
Did Not Participate in Practice
- QB - Tom Brady (calf)
Limited Participation in Practice
- TE - Rob Gronkowski (knee)
- DE - Michael Buchanan (ankle)
- DT - Christopher Jones (ankle)
- DT - Sealver Siliga (wrist)
Practice Status Key
DNP: Did not participate in practice.
LP: Limited Participation in Practice - Less than 100 percent of a player's normal repetitions.
FP: Full Participation - 100 percent of a player's normal repetitions.
Out: Player will not play.
For more Dolphins news and updates, visit Dolphins Central.
Abe Gutierrez is a criminal justice admin whose love for sports led him to become a writer and editor. His expertise make him a valued addition to Examiner.com and its partners. His work can be found on Examiner.com. .
